Group pushes for Miller confirmation

The industry group Consumers for United Rail Equity has asked the Senate for a swift confirmation of Deborah Miller to the Surface Transportation Board.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted in January to bring Miller’s confirmation to a full Senate vote. Miller was appointed to the STB in September by President Barack Obama to replace Francis Mulvey. If confirmed, she will fulfill a five-year term on the board.
Leaders of the Consumers for United Rail Equity recently penned a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his Republican counterpart, Mitch McConnell, stressing the importance of putting Miller on the board.
“A vacancy at the STB creates uncertainties and delays for the rail shippers that rely on the agency to review rate and service disputes,” they wrote. “The STB is a three-member board, meaning that when there is a vacancy, a unanimous vote is needed to resolve any pending matter. Given that most of the rate cases before the board are litigated over a number of years, it is important that we do not face any unnecessary delay.”
The group noted that Miller’s appointment would help maintain an effective STB and would keep the organization healthy. The STB, they said, provides shippers “a backstop when there is no competitive option to ship their products.”